DDO Store Sales: "Select Adventure Packs"

[C-Dog]

July '22 Edit:

It's been about 1 1/2 years since the last "Adventure Pack Sale" - Covid changed the DDO business model for a while, and things are still in flux. Because of the intervening time and changes, I've started a new thread here.

However, the comments on packs, general advice and reviews may still be useful to new(er) players; take any comments on "new/good/best gear" with a grain of salt, some things have changed since these posts.

CD

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(If I'd been thinking, I'd have given this previous, similar post a more broadly useful title. Getting it right this time - and meanwhile, just copy/pasting that intro.)

(Note - For any unfamiliar terms or abbreviations, see https://ddowiki.com/page/Glossary )

See bottom of this post for links to all quests reviewed in this thread.


For many new Premium and F2P players, "What to buy with my DDO Points?" is a common and often perplexing question. Everyone tells you to "Try to only buy when On Sale!" - and then a sale comes along, and you aren't sure if you should buy this or that, or wait, or what.

I firmly believe (and most agree) that the first thing to buy are a few adventure packs (see "reasons" in my sig). You could buy premium races or classes, or Ability Tomes, or almost anything - but without a nice selection of packs to round out the Free-to-Play content, your leveling and gear will be sub-optimal.

(For a great discussion of all the packs (at the time of that posting), bookmark this thread. I'm borrowing heavily here when I agree, and I mostly do - thx E.)

~ Note - skip to last post for info/comments on most recent pack sale. ~

For a (full!) discussion of the expansions Menace of the Underdark and Shadowfell Conspiracy read here. These Real-Life-Money purchases usually go on sale only during the late-November "Black Friday" or mid-winter sales.

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The current sale (now thru July 5) has several parts; the Gnome race is on sale for -75% off (323 DDO Points, down from 1295!), so consider that if you think you'll ever do the Racial TR thing, or just have a thing for Gnomes.

But before Gnome, the Vault of Night pack is 50% off. Great deal, grab that if you don't have it. See review below if you need more convincing, but just do it.

Also on sale are several mid-to-high level "select adventure packs", on sale for 20% off - which is a low discount, but still, On Sale is On Sale. Sometimes they'll go 30%-35%, and very rarely as deep as 50%(+) (like VoN now), but never with any guarantees as to if/when the next time will be - so any decision to wait for "a better deal" on a pack you're eyeing is all on you. GL.


In (some sort of) level order, the current sale includes...

• Lvl 8-10 Vault of Night (& Epic 21-22) 50% OFF
• Lvl 7 Temple of Elemental Evil (& Epic 30)
• Lvl 8 Against the Slave Lords (& Epic 31)
• Lvl 9-10 Ruins of Threnal
• Lvl 13-14 Ruins of Gianthold (& Epic 24)
• Lvl 17 Reign of Madness
• Lvl 19 Devils of Shavarath
• Lvl 19 The Dreaming Dark

o Vault of Night 375 DDO pts (down 50% from 750)
This is a great pack, and one of the universally recommended "core" to buy first.* Effectively 4 quests Level 8-9, plus a 2-part Level 10 Raid. While much of the loot is dated (with some notable exceptions), the quests are fun, the XP is great (inc. low-level Epic), and LFM's are common. A part of many vets' "reincarnation train". Also, it easily gets you to 150 House Kundarak Favor for your 3rd(!) Bank slot.

(* Along with 13-14 Gianthold and Level 15-18 Vale of Twilight.)


o Ruins of Gianthold 760 DDO pts (down 20% from 950)
Another of the core "must haves", and although -20% is not much, it does save you 190 DDO points, so grab it if you can afford it. Gianthold is generally seen as THE go-to pack for XP in the early/mid-teen Level range (to get you to Level 15-16 Vale of Twilight). Great XP, great variety, lots of LFM's, and, all by itself, is one of the two lower-level Sagas in the game. Highly recommended, even at full price.


Now, the rest of these are, generally speaking, not on many "must have" lists, and most are even below most "nice to have" lists, below Three Barrel Cove, Necro III et al, Delera's, Demon Sands, etc. etc. None are bad, and almost all do have at least something very nice to offer, but I'm not going to go in depth on them - others may well weigh in, and, again, see this thread for a more in-depth commentary.

o Temple of Elemental Evil 520 DDO pts (down 20% from 650)
Two looong quests, and very challenging at-level - which is appropriate for a pack based on the looong and challenging classic tabletop adventure of the same name. Great atmosphere, and some of the best mid-heroic weapons in the game. A little grindy to find exactly what you want ("named" loot is a randomly generated combo of weapon type and damage type), and then more grind to get the specific materials to upgrade them, but many believe it's worth it (especially if farming over-level). Few LFM's (probably due to the difficulty at-level, even for a full, well-balanced group).


o Against the Slave Lords 476 DDO pts (down 20% from 595)
(Note - if you're looking for this in the Store, it's listed under "High Level" adventure packs. Dunno why.)
3 Level 8 quests, plus Epic 31 versions. Some great named loot, including the Symbol of the Slave Lords trinket. Perfect for The Master's Gift (see next...)


o Ruins of Threnal 360 DDO pts (down 20% from 450)
9 quests, including a "escort the NPC" quest. (The final "protect the NPC" quest has been changed so his dying is no longer a fail.) Main reason to own this is the end-reward Mantle of the Worldshaper, which is nice enough, but when combined w/ Voice of the Master (and 5 Epic Tokens of the Twelve, ahem), creates a ML 1 Master's Gift augment. And since that end-reward requires the entire chain, folk will usually join an LFM only if you haven't started yet.


o Reign of Madness 360 DDO pts (down 20% from 450)
Second of the three "Madness" packs, and just as much disturbing fun as the others. Items that can be upgraded at the Altar of Insanity.


o Devils of Shavarath 440 DDO pts (down 20% from 550)
6 challenging quests on the plane of Shavarath, plus a raid, but at end-Heroics most characters have already done something else to reach 20, so few LFM's. This is also where you get your Yugoloth favor.


o The Dreaming Dark 280 DDO pts (down 20% from 350)
(First, if you buy the better of the two MotU editions (strongly recommended, and a must for going into Epic levels 20-30), you get this included for free. So if you're going to buy that, then don't buy this now.)

Nice chain, 5 fun quests (including the highest level "Solo" quest in the game), but another Level 19 Heroic (see DoS, previous). Loot includes the Xachosian Eardweller. End quest is necessary to gain access to the Dreamforge for upgrading Ioun Stones and some named loot from this chain.

(Edit - VoN is 50% off. DDO Point math was right.)
(& Disclaimer)

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Quick reference to the reviews in this thread (in some sort of level order)...

• Lvl 4 The Sharn Syndicate
• Lvl 5 Phiarlan Carnival (& Epic 20)
• Lvl 3-7 Tangleroot Gorge
• Lvl 5-6 Necro 1 (& Necro 2-4)
• Lvl 5-7 Three-Barrel Cove (& Epic 25)
• Lvl 5-11 Delera's Tomb
• Lvl 6-10 Sorrowdusk Isle
• Lvl 7 Temple of Elemental Evil (& Epic 30) (see above)
• Lvl 8 Against the Slave Lords (& Epic 31)
• Lvl 8-9 Necro 2 (& Necro 1 & 3-4)
• Lvl 8-10 Vault of Night (& Epic 21-22) (see above)
• Lvl 9-10 Ruins of Threnal (see above)
• Lvl 10-12 Demon Sands (& 21-22 Epic)
• Lvl 11-12 Necro 3
• Level 13 Trial of the Archons (& Epic 30)
• Lvl 13-14 Ruins of Gianthold (& Epic 24) (see above)
• Lvl 14-15+ Necro 4 (& Necro 2-4)
• Lvl 15 The Mines of Tethyamar (& Epic 31)
• Lvl 15-16, Raids 17-18 Vale of Twilight (some Epic 31)
• Lvl 17 Reign of Madness (see above)
• Lvl 19 Devils of Shavarath (see above)
• Lvl 19 The Dreaming Dark (see above)
  ...&...
• Expansion Packs: Menace of the Underdark and Shadowfell Conspiracy

Note that often other players offer their insights below my posts. Read for fuller discussion.

[Annex]

The Dreaming Dark comes with the Menace of the Underdark Standard Edition.

[unbongwah]

o Reign of Madness 360 DDO pts (down 20% from 450)
3rd and last of the "Madness" packs, and just as much disturbing fun as the others. Altar of Insanity for upgrading related named loot.

Isn't this the 2nd Madness pack? 1st is Harbinger, 3rd is Heart. Note that Heart of Madness is the only one with both heroic and epic quests; the first two Madness packs are heroic-only, unfortunately.

[C-Dog]

Derp - you're right. Madness packs are target Levels 15, 17 and 18. The one currently on sale, Reign of Madness, is the 2nd of that trilogy.

The Dreaming Dark comes with the Menace of the Underdark Standard Edition.

Yes, the "Standard Edition" is the better of the two - the lesser is the "Basic Edition".

o DDO Market, main page

Altho' those require RL cash, they both go on sale too, often for deep discounts. And either will get that account Premium Status.

[Arch-Necromancer]

• Lvl 8-10 Vault of Night (& Epic 21-22) 75% OFF

You made a mistake here, its 50% off. 75% is gnome.

I personally wouldn't recommend buying packs on 20% sale. Only if you really want one pack and have been waiting for a sale to get it.

If you are not in a rush, I would recommend waiting for a 25% for cheaper, and 30% discount for more expensive packs. And sparing the points for getting stuff that will be on 50% and 75% off in the coming weeks.

o Against the Slave Lords 476 DDO pts (down 20% from 595)
(Note - if you're looking for this in the Store, it's listed under "High Level" adventure packs. Dunno why.)
3 Level 8 quests, plus Epic 31 versions. Some great named loot, including the Symbol of the Slave Lords trinket. Perfect for The Master's Gift (see next...)

They usually put at least one classic adventure pack on sale, usually on 50% off (we had Haunted Halls last summer, and ToEE last winter on 50% off).

I was hoping that Slavers will be this summer. but if they are now on this select adventures sale, then it is less likely that they will be on a higher discount in the coming weeks.

My guess is that we will see Thunderholme on 50% off (if they continue like last 2 sales), unless they decide to repeat something from the last sales.


They also started putting more expensive old packs on sale. Last summer we had Vale, Gianthold and Demon Sands, we had Necropolis last winter. We got VoN this week. It is likely that we will see at least one more expensive old pack on sale. Of more expensive old packs (750+ points), only Delera's Tomb and High road of shadows are left to tackle...

[C-Dog]

You made a mistake here, its 50% off. 75% is gnome.

Derp - edited, thx. Math was right, just mislabeled that one line.

I personally wouldn't recommend buying packs on 20% sale. Only if you really want one pack and have been waiting for a sale to get it.

If you are not in a rush, I would recommend waiting for a 25% for cheaper, and 30% discount for more expensive packs...

Agreed, 20% is the smallest sale we see, but, as I said above, waiting for a better sale is a gamble. If a pack is 20% on sale now, it's almost certainly NOT going to be on sale again any time soon. For the most expensive pack on the current list, Gianthold (950 DP), a diff of 5% is less than 50 DP - and while that is something, the wait could be until mid-winter, or even longer. There are no guarantees.

I might wait with some of the "also" packs, but unless you're not going to need GH for the next 7 months, I'd grab it now if you can, take the 190 DP to the bank, and call it a (lesser) win. Ymmv.

[Arch-Necromancer]

Agreed, 20% is the smallest sale we see, but, as I said above, waiting for a better sale is a gamble. If a pack is 20% on sale now, it's almost certainly NOT going to be on sale again any time soon. For the most expensive pack on the current list, Gianthold (950 DP), a diff of 5% is less than 50 DP - and while that is something, the wait could be until mid-winter, or even longer. There are no guarantees.

I might wait with some of the "also" packs, but unless you're not going to need GH for the next 7 months, I'd grab it now if you can, take the 190 DP to the bank, and call it a (lesser) win. Ymmv.

If you really want some pack, then go for it. I once needed a pack to complete a saga, so i got it on 20% discount.

However, if you have limited points, and have 3 or 4 weeks of big sales (with stuff on 50% and 75% discount) ahead, then you don't really want to waste your points on a 20% discount item, and then be out of points when something else you do not have is on 50% or 75% off.

20% sales are not that uncommon, it's not a problem to miss it, but if you miss 50% or 75% sale, then it's a bummer...

[AggThri]

20% sales are not that uncommon, it's not a problem to miss it, but if you miss 50% or 75% sale, then it's a bummer...

Exactly. For example if your VIP to test the game is about to run out, but you can't buy the 75% off gnome and other stuff), because you timed it wrong, not knowing when and what sales are about to come. ^^
I can understand why VIPs can't buy stuff which is unlocked for them, but it is annoying nonetheless.

[Ausdoerrt]

I'd add that, unfortunately, both the Reign of Madness and Devils of Shavarath are pretty pointless packs to own - you never get to run them because you'll probably reach level 20 soon after finishing with the Vale quests, after that it makes little sense to run heroic quests rather than the epics. Also, the raid is never run and the loot is 90% outdated.

Both TOEE and Slave Lords, on the other hand, are fun but can be very challenging for an underprepared adventurer, so I probably wouldn't recommend these to a new player right off the bat.

[C-Dog]

So, the above are still on sale for about another 19 hours from the time of this post.

New on the Summer Sails bill, is Demon Sands for 50% off (475 DP, down from 950), which was mentioned earlier in this thread as being one of several quests high on the "also very nice to have" list. We'll get to that in a moment...


But first, also on sale, for 20% off, are Astral Shards. You can't post on the Astral Shard Exchange without at least 1 AS, and they are ~very~ rare to find in game.* The ASE tends to have the very best items and your Epic level gear, while the Auction House typically has "nice" heroic level items. So, if you want to get into that game, for 60 DP you can pick up 10 Astral Shards, and join in there.

(* VERY rarely drop in chests/breakables, but you can get them guaranteed via some of the Monster Manuals, which are also on sale atm, or at least are for another 19 hours.)

o See also: http://ddowiki.com/page/Shard_Exchange for more information

o Demon Sands 475 DDO pts (down 50% from 950)
The Demon Sands pack offers a huge wilderness with almost a dozen quests, including 1 Raid, half of which are also Epic (which is important, read on). Lots of undead (especially mummies), the Egyptian theme is great atmosphere, the quests are well written, and some of the loot is still very worthwhile (if, as always it seems, difficult to farm).

You don't "need" this pack for the Heroic Level 11-12 range quests (altho' it is a nice change of pace), however DS is popular with many players to farm experience in early Epic levels. One of the quests, The Chamber of Raiyum (aka Wizard King), Epic Level 22, has 3 separate sections of the dungeon with over +200% XP in "optionals". So, it's quite common for groups to break up and quickly farm just those optionals, NOT finish the quest, step out, reset, and immediately repeat, for a massive and constant farm of XP. These LFM's are often quite fluid, as characters cap their XP, quit to level up, then move on or possibly return to a the "same" group with very different members. Inarguably a fast way to farm Epic XP in a very short time.


And, as always, see link in OP for a more in-depth discussion.


(Edit - math typo)

[AggThri]

Hello.

On a slightly different note... I think I read somewhere that Shadowfell and maybe Ravenloft would get on sale around the fourth of July.
Did I dream that? I can't find it again. I know I read "around Christmas" somewhere, but I think this time of year was also mentioned.
I was hoping to get the collectors edition (on sale) and passed on the steam sale...

[unbongwah]

On a slightly different note... I think I read somewhere that Shadowfell and maybe Ravenloft would get on sale around the fourth of July.
Did I dream that? I can't find it again. I know I read "around Christmas" somewhere, but I think this time of year was also mentioned.

http://ddowiki.com/page/DDO_Store/Sales

Historically the big sales on the expansions have been during the winter holidays (Thanksgiving thru New Years). It doesn't look like the expansions were on sale last summer or the summer before that.

That said, the past isn't always prologue. We're all just making educated guesses (or wishful thinking) about when things will go on sale. In the end all you can do is check the Sales & Promotions forum every week and hope for the best.

[C-Dog]

On a slightly different note... I think I read somewhere that Shadowfell and maybe Ravenloft would get on sale around the fourth of July...

Yeah, you pro'ly read that the next reasonable time it ~might~ be on sale would be now - no one posting on the forums knows in advance (or, at least, no one who knows in advance is posting that on the forums). There are 2 more weeks of Summer Sails Sales, so... who knows?

GL to all of us who are each hoping for a (different?) "something special" to be offered!

[Ausdoerrt]

Hello.

On a slightly different note... I think I read somewhere that Shadowfell and maybe Ravenloft would get on sale around the fourth of July.
Did I dream that? I can't find it again. I know I read "around Christmas" somewhere, but I think this time of year was also mentioned.
I was hoping to get the collectors edition (on sale) and passed on the steam sale...

Well, Shadowfell was just recently on sale on Steam, and there was a (sort of) Ravenloft sale in the DDO Market...

I'd say the chances are slim, but you never know? There's two (or three?) more weeks of Summer Sails, I'd wait and see what's next.

[AggThri]

Well, Shadowfell was just recently on sale on Steam, and there was a (sort of) Ravenloft sale in the DDO Market...

I'd say the chances are slim, but you never know? There's two (or three?) more weeks of Summer Sails, I'd wait and see what's next.

The steam sale was the standard edition, which is why I waited. I hope I won't regret that.

[C-Dog]

This week's Summer Sails Sales have no adventure packs, but I thought I'd comment on what is offered.

o Dragonborn for 50% off - you pro'ly won't see better (at least not for a looong time). If you're interested in Racial Reincarnation, and/or a +Str/+Cha build, jump on it.

o 75% off the Hall of Heroes Passport, which let's all characters enter either Eberron or Forgotten Realms (Evening Star). All Iconics get this for free, and the equivalent (Key to Eveningstar) is not hard to earn if you own Evening Star - and the Passport is pretty much useless without that expansion.

o 25% off Shared Bank (1121 DP, down from 1495) - although seen better discounts have been seen, this is so important to most accounts that, if you don't have it and have the points, just grab it.

o 25% off both Platinum Storage and also Crafting Storage. Both of these are a "quality of life" improvement. The ability to dump 50k plat into a pool for all your alts (100k for +71 DP more) is important to some, not to others (who are happy sending 10k+ per letter sent). Similarly the ability to dump 250 different slots of collectables, augments(!) and ammo. Ymmv.

And some other stuff - +7 Tomes, Treasure Hunter Elixiers, etc. etc. : all sales listed here

[C-Dog]

For this week's Summer Sails Sale, 50% off a great quest pack and 75% off another.

• Lvl 5-11 Delera's Tomb (no Epic) 50% off
• Lvl 15 The Mines of Tethyamar (& Epic 31) 75% off

o Delera's Tomb 425 DDO pts (down 50% from 850)
This is a good pack covering a broad range of "low level" questing, and one of the universally recommended "get this next" packs, after the core group.* Effectively 8 quests, 4 in the Level 5-8 story arc (plus an odd walk in/out flagging quest, for xp and favor), and 4 stand-alone quests at Levels 6, 9, and two at 11. Lots of undead, well written, with narration by THE Gary Gygax, and some good named loot, including Carnifex and the ML 7 +3 UMD item Golden Cartouche. Total Favor is not bad either, at 129. However, perhaps the best selling point is the guaranteed end-reward for the arc, the Voice of the Master, a "must have" for every serious character. Grouping is common enough.

(* See discussion above, in OP, and etc.)


o The Mines of Tethymar 181 DDO pts (down 75% from 725)
Edit: Bought this pack only recently, and I like it, but am not fully familiar with it. It is one of the newer ones, so named loot is, as a rule, superior to that of a lot of older packs. But at only 181 DP for 5 Level 15 quests, if you already have the core packs (that have been talked about before), you can't really go wrong. This pack also provides 75 Harper Favor, which may be important if you're chasing the Harper Enhancement Tree unlock.

(If someone has this pack and would like to comment on it, please do!)

[Arch-Necromancer]

For this week's Summer Sails Sale, 50% off a great quest pack and 75% off another.

• Lvl 5-11 Delera's Tomb (no Epic) 50% off
• Lvl 15 The Mines of Tethyamar (& Epic 31) 75% off

o Delera's Tomb 425 DDO pts (down 50% from 850)
This is a good pack covering a broad range of "low level" questing, and one of the universally recommended "get this next" packs, after the core group.* Effectively 8 quests, 4 in the Level 5-8 story arc (plus an odd walk in/out flagging quest, for xp and favor), and 4 stand-alone quests at Levels 6, 9, and two at 11. Lots of undead, well written, with narration by THE Gary Gygax, and some good named loot, including Carnifex and the ML 7 +3 UMD item Golden Cartouche. Total Favor is not bad either, at 129. However, perhaps the best selling point is the guaranteed end-reward for the arc, the Voice of the Master, a "must have" for every serious character. Grouping is common enough.

(* See discussion above, in OP, and etc.)


o The Mines of Tethymar 181 DDO pts (down 75% from 725)
I don't own this pack, so I can't speak to it. However, it is one of the newer ones, so named loot is, as a rule, superior to that of a lot of older packs. But at only 181 DP for 5 Level 15 quests, if you already have the core packs (that have been talked about before), you can't really go wrong. This pack also provides 75 Harper Favor, which may be important if you're chasing the Harper Enhancement Tree unlock.

(If someone has this pack and would like to comment on it, please do!)

Tethyamar is a great pack, and 75% discount is the best one, so this is an opportunity that should not be missed.

I bought Tethyamar when it was 35% off last winter because I didn't think they would put it again soon, and especially not on the next sale at 75% off. So it's kind of a bummer for everyone who bought it during the winter sale. I will probably skip on buying anything on 35% off from now on.

On the other hand, Dragonblood Prophecy was not yet on any discount. Weird marketing logic...

As for the Delera's, it is also a great pack, but 50% off for a 850 point pack is not something that you cannot skip since it is always possible for it to be on 75% off in the future.

If you don't have the points for both, get Tethyamar. But if you can get both, get both because they are both great.

[Dulcimerist]

I got super excited this week, but had gotten Tethyamar and Thunderholme mixed up in my mind. I was ready to plop down some coin on Thunderholme at 75% off, but alas. I bought Tethyamar last December. I already own all of the packs offered at deep discounts during this years Summer Sails. Hopefully more players bought them so they can join me on some adventures!

Are they doing one last week of Summer Sails on July 26th?

[C-Dog]

I bought Tethyamar when it was 35% off last winter because I didn't think they would put it again soon, and especially not on the next sale at 75% off. So it's kind of a bummer for everyone who bought it during the winter sale. I will probably skip on buying anything on 35% off from now on.

Then you're going to wait a looong time for some packs.

Are they doing one last week of Summer Sails on July 26th?

The splash-screen from the game log-in says "Every Week in July!" - so I have to believe the answer is 100% yes. (I'd think, by now, they know what sort of riot they'd have on the forums if they didn't.)